CountyScore

De Baca County

New Mexico · NM

#6 in New Mexico
75.3
County Score

County Report Card

About De Baca County, New Mexico

Strong national performance

De Baca County scores 75.3 out of 100, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. The county's exceptional affordability metrics drive this strong national ranking.

Ranks among state's best

At 75.3, De Baca significantly outperforms New Mexico's state average of 69.8, ranking it among the top counties statewide. Few New Mexico counties match this overall livability score.

Unbeatable taxes and housing costs

De Baca features exceptional tax performance (88.2) with an effective rate of 0.499% and outstanding housing affordability (87.8) with median home value of $158,000 and rent at just $727/month. These factors make it one of the most affordable counties in the region.

Income and health need strengthening

The county's income score of 10.0 is among the state's lowest, with median household income at just $40,804, while health at 60.7 indicates access barriers. Risk management at 96.0 is notably strong, but income limitations are substantial.

Excellent for retirees and remote earners

De Baca County is ideal for retirees, Social Security recipients, and remote workers seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden in a rural setting. The county's low income requirement makes it accessible to those living on modest, stable external income.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax88.2Cost87.8SafetyComing SoonHealth60.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome10Risk96WaterComing Soon
🏛88.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡96
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare De Baca County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Grundy County
Iowa
75.3
Median income: $83,617
Crockett County
Texas
75.3
Median income: $81,739
Amherst County
Virginia
75.3
Median income: $67,298
Patrick County
Virginia
75.3
Median income: $50,938
Washington County
Alabama
75.2
Median income: $60,503

Deep Dives

De Baca County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in De Baca County

via TaxByCounty

De Baca taxes run well below the national norm

De Baca County's effective tax rate of 0.499% sits substantially below the national median of 0.595%, placing it among the nation's lowest-taxed counties. The median property tax of $788 represents less than one-third of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both low home values and favorable tax rates.

De Baca offers the state's most affordable tax climate

De Baca County's 0.499% effective rate is 16.1% below the New Mexico average of 0.595%, making it one of the state's most tax-efficient counties. The median tax of $788 represents just 75.5% of the state average of $1,043, providing exceptional tax relief.

De Baca leads regional tax advantage

De Baca's 0.499% rate is lower than most surrounding counties including Chaves (0.645%), Cibola (0.819%), and Colfax (0.576%), offering a significant regional tax advantage. Its median home value of $158,000 keeps property taxes minimal despite rural location.

A $158,000 home costs just $788 annually

The typical De Baca County homeowner with a median-valued property of $158,000 pays only $788 in annual property taxes. This represents exceptional affordability compared to both state and national benchmarks.

Review assessments for further tax savings

Even in this low-tax county, homeowners should periodically review their property assessments to ensure valuations align with fair market values. A successful appeal could provide additional relief in an already favorable tax environment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in De Baca County

via CostByCounty

De Baca's housing burden peaks for lowest incomes

De Baca County renters spend 21.4% of income on housing—above both the national baseline of roughly 19% and the state average of 19.4%—while earning just $40,804 annually, the state's lowest median household income. This southeast county's $727 median rent strains already-limited household budgets significantly.

State's most vulnerable housing affordability crisis

De Baca County ranks as New Mexico's least affordable county by rent-to-income ratio at 21.4%, exacerbated by the state's lowest median household income of $40,804. The combination of low earnings and $727 median rent creates the state's most acute affordability pressure.

De Baca rents cheap but incomes cheaper still

De Baca's $727 median rent matches other rural counties like Cibola ($724) and Colfax ($704), yet De Baca households earn 21% less than Cibola residents. This income-cost mismatch makes De Baca's housing percentages hurt most among all counties studied.

De Baca rents consume highest share of incomes

De Baca renters spend $727 monthly while homeowners pay $503—a 31% ownership discount—yet both tenure groups face the state's tightest affordability. At $40,804 median income, renters allocate 21% while homeowners dedicate 15% to housing.

De Baca demands careful planning for relocators

De Baca County's combination of rock-bottom incomes and moderate rents creates real affordability stress, making relocation here advisable only with guaranteed income from outside sources. Remote workers, retirees, and those with existing assets will find genuine value; wage-dependent renters may struggle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in De Baca County

via IncomeByCounty

De Baca faces steepest national income gap

De Baca County's median household income of $40,804 falls 45% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 10% of American counties. This severe gap reflects extremely limited employment opportunities and economic activity in this sparsely populated county.

Lowest income county in New Mexico sample

De Baca County's median household income of $40,804 is 26% below New Mexico's state average of $55,469, the lowest among the eight counties examined. The county faces acute economic challenges requiring targeted investment and development strategies.

Significantly trails all comparable counties

De Baca County's $40,804 income falls $5,600 below its closest peer, Catron County ($46,439), and $15,500 below Curry County ($56,259). The gap reflects De Baca's extreme isolation and minimal economic infrastructure.

High rent burden strains tight budgets

At 21.4%, De Baca's rent-to-income ratio is the highest among all eight counties, consuming over one-fifth of already-limited median income. Combined with the county's low median income, many households face genuine affordability pressures despite the low median home value of $158,000.

Focus on stable income and basic security

For De Baca County households with limited incomes, financial security requires building job skills and exploring higher-wage opportunities within or outside the county. Before investing, prioritize employer benefits, government safety-net programs, and any available grants or training assistance.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in De Baca County

via HealthByCounty

De Baca faces significant health challenges

De Baca County residents live an average of 71.6 years, nearly 2 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years. With 20.6% of residents reporting poor or fair health and 12.9% uninsured—the highest uninsured rate in this eight-county group—De Baca faces serious access and health barriers.

Among New Mexico's sickest, poorest counties

De Baca's 71.6-year life expectancy ranks among the state's worst, trailing New Mexico's 73.7-year average by over 2 years. With the region's highest uninsured rate of 12.9% versus the state average of 10.2%, nearly 1 in 8 residents lack health coverage.

Sparse primary care, paradoxical mental health strength

De Baca offers just 60 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, reflecting rural isolation and limited medical infrastructure. The county's 1,147 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in the group—likely reflects a specialized institutional facility rather than widespread community services.

Uninsured and underserved in a remote county

Nearly 1 in 8 De Baca residents (12.9%) are uninsured, the worst rate in this eight-county comparison, leaving them unable to afford preventive or emergency care. Limited primary care access combined with extreme poverty and isolation creates a perfect storm for preventable illness.

Coverage can change everything

De Baca residents, especially low-income families and individuals, have multiple pathways to affordable health insurance through New Mexico's marketplace and Medicaid. Even partial coverage helps protect against medical bankruptcy and enables access to life-saving care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in De Baca County

via RiskByCounty

De Baca County has exceptionally low risk

At 4.07, De Baca County's composite risk score ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below New Mexico's state average (58.92) and the national median. This rural, sparsely populated county enjoys exceptional protection from most major natural disaster threats.

Safest county in New Mexico

De Baca County ranks lowest statewide for overall disaster risk, making it New Mexico's least vulnerable community. The county's remote location, minimal population, and favorable hazard geography combine to create this exceptional safety profile.

Far safer than surrounding counties

De Baca's 4.07 score is dramatically lower than all neighbors, including Chaves County (87.63) to the south and Curry County (61.83) to the north. The county stands alone in its minimal risk tier across central New Mexico.

Wildfire is the only notable threat

Wildfire risk (77.45) is De Baca's sole significant hazard, though even this ranks well below wildfire threats in neighboring counties. Flood (11.48), tornado (3.88), and earthquake (3.98) risks all remain negligible.

Standard insurance generally sufficient

De Baca residents can rely primarily on standard homeowners insurance, though those in forested areas should verify wildfire coverage. The county's exceptionally low overall risk means you can focus resources elsewhere rather than specialized disaster protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.